10 main tourist attractions in Egypt

Devraj Lahiri 30 August 2021 13798 views 6 min. read

Egypt has been one of the bedrocks of an ancient civilization. It goes far into antiquity and has a lot of fables and tales to tell. From the mighty tribes to the undefeatable Pharaohs, the Egyptian civilization has been one of the leading beacons of human endeavor. Modern-day Egypt thus is one of the most attractive places on Earth, both for world travelers and history buffs. The ancient country is stuffed with places to visit and things to do that it is near impossible to catch a breath. Backdropped with the undulating sand dunes and the towering pyramids, Egypt is a connoisseur's delight. In this article, we will travel to the ten main tourist attractions in Egypt. To discover more, you must obtain an Egypt visa, book your flight travel to Egypt, and in this way, you will be able to realize that Egypt is getting more and more beautiful every morning.

1. The Great Pyramids Of Giza

pyramids of giza

One of the prime tourist attractions in Egypt Cairo is a city to visit. On the outer edge of this magnificent sprawl lies one of the wonders of the ancient world. The Pyramids of Giza, shock and awe, by its sheer size and presence. What also wonders is the engineering that went behind this creation. There is a cluster of pyramids holding the tombs of Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre), and Mycerinus (Menkaure), which are guarded by the Sphinx. This cluster is the first on the list of every traveler who wishes to visit the greatest tourist attractions in Egypt Cairo has to offer.

2. Karnak Temple At Luxor And The Valley Of The Kings

hatrepsut temple

Another resplendent creation from the times of yore, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak temple at Luxor is a must visit for those who wish to reminisce the times of the Pharaohs. The Memorial Temple of the Hatshepsut is another must-visit site. Luxor is situated in Upper Egypt, and it is quite comprehendible that the river played an important part in the lives of the ancient Egyptians as it does now. This place was also the site of the ancient Thebes, which became home to the new Pharaohs. The Valley of the Kings, along with its affiliates, is one of the places what is Egypt most famous for. The sites are divided on the basis of which side of the riverbank they are. The East Bank holds the modern city of Luxor, whilst the West Bank is where history lies. With a plethora of buildings and artifacts sprawled amidst lush farmlands, it has also been called the largest open-air museum in the world. The colossal pillars and tombs mired with dazzling wall art are some of the highlights of the place.

3. The Nile River, The Heart Of Egypt

nile river

Among the major tourist attractions in Egypt, the Nile takes center stage. It has been the reason behind the rise of the Egyptian civilization and continues to nurture the great nation to this day. A cruise on it is necessary for those visiting the country. The river defines Egypt and all that it holds. It is also the best way to watch the ancient civilization it once was. The riverbank between Luxor and Aswan is dotted with ancient temples, and the sunset and the sunrise are also equally mesmerizing. The Temple of Kom Ombo and Edfu’s Temple of Horus are two of the main attractions while on the river cruise. A cruise by a felucca is one of the best ways to cruise the river, though they may not be as comfortable as large boat cruises. Drive down to Luxor or Aswan for a river cruise, though feluccas are only available for multi-day trips from Aswan.

4. Aswan, Egypt’s Strategic Gateway

aswan

If tranquility is what you yearn for, then look no further. Aswan is the place you had been scouring for, and now there it is, in front of your eyes. There are plenty of things to do while in Aswan. The winding Nile trip is certainly topping it, though basking under the sun amidst the orange-hued sand dunes while the life on the mighty Nile sails by certainly seems to be a perfect way to enjoy the time. St. Simeon, the desert monastery, is regarded amongst the top visits on the Egypt tourist attractions map. Amongst ancient Egypt tourist attractions, the Philae Temple is a famous haunt for travelers. The Nubian villages also provide a great walk while sipping endless cups of Egyptian tea, though the riverboat restaurants are equally beautiful places to hang out.

5. Abu Simbel, Ancient Temple Complex

abu simbel

Ramses II was a great pharaoh. His temple, Abu Simbel, is even greater. The colossal structure adorned with the world-famous statue of the standing guard has adorned every well-heeled and known magazine and history book across the world for generations. The interiors are filled with wall paintings that have survived the vagaries of time. UNESCO in the 1960s led a gargantuan effort to move the entire temple from its original place to its present location to save it from the rising waters of the Aswan dam. This awe-inspiring work by the megalomaniac Pharaoh is just as appreciable as the effort taken by the international body to save it.

6. Cairo, World's Greatest Place

nile river

One of the pertinent questions that are asked by new travelers is what the main tourist attractions in Cairo Egypt are. The capital of Egypt is not just that but much more. A major part of the capital city reflects the embedded Islamic culture that is so intrinsic to the inhabitants. Old Islamic Cairo is a place to visit, crammed with narrow lanes, ancient madrasas, and mosques. Khan el-Khalili is the labyrinthine shopping souk that grabs eyeballs for the wares it sells. Shops sell anything from ceramics, tiles, perfumes to textiles at exciting prices. There are tiny workshops that can be visited by inquisitive travelers to understand more about the culture. The Al Azhar Mosque and the Sultan Hassan Mosque are some of the main tourist attractions in Egypt Cairo has to offer. Ancient Egypt tourist attractions are a dime a dozen, but Cairo also gives a glimpse of the medieval ages. It is also a place that illustrates what is Egypt most famous for other than simply pyramids, an ancient culture dipped in modernity, warm and friendly. There are other main tourist attractions in Cairo Egypt, but that's for you to discover.

7. South Sinai, Famous Egyptian Tourist Attractions

aerial view of sharm el sheikh

When one is asked what tourist attractions exist in Egypt or what is Egypt most famous for, do not just stop at the pyramids. Mention them, no doubt, but also do talk about the beach life at South Sinai. The South Sinai lies in the Sinai Peninsula and has plenty to offer for everyone. Sharm El-Sheikh has a host of European-style luxury hotels and restaurants and attracts international tourists by the hordes. This is one of the favorite holiday spots for Europeans, and you can see them throng the many entertainment and shopping options that Sharm El-Shaikh provides. The umpteen resorts are jam-packed with revelers and vacationers during the winters. Dahab is for the budget traveler though the choices, here too, are in plenty. It is among the major tourist attractions in Egypt. There are affordable dive packages that can be availed to and are popular among many families. Windsurfing and kite surfing are major attractions along the lagoon. Nuweiba and Taba offer bamboo thatched huts to those who wish to get away from the maddening crowd. These places are also my answer to the question what tourist attractions exist in Egypt.

8. Saqqara, A Beautiful Egyptian Village

pyramid at saqqara

Those who thought Giza was the only place for the giant pyramids travel to Saqqara to get awed. This is a place that has been used by every era of Pharaohs for respecting their dead. The sprawling necropolis is littered with tombs and pyramids, each with its own sign of gradual degradation. The Old Kingdom Step Pyramid is a prime attraction and one of the famous tourist attractions in Egypt. The tomb of Mastaba of Ti has some of the best wall paintings in the whole of Egypt. The Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid are also some of the best on offer.

9. Egyptian Museum, Oldest Archaeological Museum

egyptian museum

While the country is nothing short of an open-air museum, the Egyptian Museum is one of the famous tourist attractions in Egypt Cairo has to offer. The sheer number of artifacts make it one of the largest and the largest museum on Egyptian civilization in the world. There are some deficiencies, like lack of proper labeling and dating and the absence of any order, but those can be easily overlooked given the sheer enormity of the collections. The golden treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamen and the Royal Mummies exhibit are some of the prime attractions of the museum. Every nook and corner of this fascinating place reeks of history and is a must-visit for everyone.

10. White Desert National Park

white desert national park

Egypt is so much more than just pyramids and The Nile. The White Desert National Park is a case in point. It is situated in the Western Desert, south of the Bahariya Oasis. The entire landscape is filled with abstractly shaped chalk pinnacles and boulders and looks like a set from a sci-fi movie. There are fun rides one can take along with overnight camping.  There are umpteen places to visit on the Egypt tourist attractions map. From major tourist attractions in Egypt to river cruising and shopping at the ancient souks, the country is a beehive of activity. The winters are warm and soft and are some of the best times to visit. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready and go.

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